On my last day in Hong Kong it was pouring down. I had to check out from the hotel at noon, but my flight was not until late evening, and my original plan to go for a walk along the water did not seem very attractive, so I called The Ritz-Carlton in Hong Kong and made a reservation for the afternoon tea at Café 103.
My table was far from the floor-to-ceiling windows, so even though I was on the 103rd floor, I did not have much of a view. Instead, the staff provided me with different kinds of magazines, so I wouldn’t get bored during my afternoon tea for one.
Except for the view (or the lack of it), it was a nice afternoon tea. First, I was asked to pick the tea I wanted to try, and it was more difficult than it sounds with so many different kinds to choose among. After consulting the waiter, who turned out to be very well-versed in teas, I finally decided on the Sakura Sakura tea, which was a green tea with cherry blossoms and a mild, flowery flavor.
The Ritz-Carlton in Hong Kong is known for creative collaborations with chefs and different gourmet brands for the afternoon tea, and when I was there, the menu was made in collaboration with luxury candy store Sugarfina (famous for boozy gummy bears). One of the desserts I had was a champagne cream with strawberry topped with a champagne-infused gummy bear, and it was exquisite. I could have eaten a whole family of those bears:)
It was a nice way to spend the afternoon but next time I go, I will try to get a table with a better view. I did a little online research, and it seems like The Lounge & Bar, which is on the 102nd floor and also serves afternoon tea, has more window tables available, so maybe they are a better choice. Otherwise, there is always Ozone, which is the beautiful bar on the 118th floor at the Ritz-Carlton.